Fire extinguisher



April 1929- E. B. LARKIN ET AL 1,707,674

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed April 14, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 Inventord Attorney p i 1929- E. B. LARKIN ET AL FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed April 14, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet I I [rwentorJ Z. Zak/r? ZJZ 0766 extinguishing means,

for the float.

which follows the-liquid level.

Patented Apr. 2, 1929.

UNITED TATES -PATENT OFFICE.

mawann 3. mm Ann moms A. connmamx, or BRADFORD, rmsnvam nan nxrmeursnna.

Application flled April 14, 1928. Serial No. 270,081.

broad reference to fire such as is particularly adapted to be incorporated in tanks and containers, for crude, oil, gasoline, naptha, benzlne, and all other inflammable liquids, and it has more particular reference to a self ad- The invention has justlng distributing device for the various foam extinguishing compounds which are now used for this purpose. 1

From the foregoing, it will be evident that it is now a matter of common knowledge that foam extinguishing compounds are reasonably efl'ective for extinguishing fire in containers and tanks of the type specified.

At the present time, it is the practice to equip the tank with a nozzle at the top throughwhich the compound is introduced to blanket'the surface of the fluid and to smother the fire.- Ciwing to the change of level of the fluid in the tank, it is obvious that under certain conditions, the distance between the nozzle and the fluid level is comparatively great, and when the foam extinguishing compound is'injected through the nozzle, it frequently loses its effectiveness when allowed to dro a great distance down onto the surface 0 the fluid.

It is thought that this is because the liquid constituents separate before coming into contact with the burning fluid.

The objectionable condition thus referred to can be remedied throu h the utilization of a device which more e ectively flows or feeds the compound onto the surface of the liquid, and it is my idea to provide a self adjusting feeding and distributing device for this purpose which is located inside of the tank and which includes a floating spreader In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents an elevational view with a portion of the tank broken away to exposethe device on the inside thereof.

Figure 2 is a top plan view with portions broken away and shown in section.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary detail sectional view showin the adjustable portion of the delivery con uit.

Figure 4 is a view in section and elevation showin the ball float, adjustable conduit, flared ischarge nozzle, and guiding means The numeral 1 desi ates an ordinary tank, containing inflamma le liquid 2. Inslde of the tank, I install a pair of vertical spaced ly adjustable.

guide rods 3. ball float and spreader 4, rigidly connected with a pair of downwardly diverging arms 5.

These arms have their lower ends directed outwardly at right angles as at 6 and provided with guide sleeves 7, slidably mounted on the gulderods 3. The arms 5 connect with the lower end of a telescopic discharge condult 8. This is made up of sections 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. The section 13 constitutes a discharge nozzle and is provided with a flared end 14 located over the top of the floating spreader 4. This telescopic or extensible conduit is connected with an inverted cup 15 on the upper end of the compound supply pipe 16. The pipe 16 may be of any suitable configuration and may be either on the inside or outside of the tank.

In practice, it is obvious that the foam extinguishing compound is supplied from a suitable source and conveyed through the delivery pipe 16, where it is elevated toa point adjacent the Center of the top of the tank 1. It then drops down through the self ejecting discharge conduit 8 and nozzle 13 onto the surface of the floating ball This ball always follows the. liquid level and is thereby properly positioned for flowing and sprea ing the compound evenly and in an intact manner over the burning surface of the liquid 2 in the event of fire.

It is submitted that the apparatus prevents the separation of the liquid constituents from the foam before and when it comes into contact with theburning fluid, more especially when the tank is only partly filhii.

Moreover, the device is self and ever set thus rendering it substantially automatical- The relationship of parts is such as to insure proper and uniform distri: bution.

It is believed that by considering the description in connection with the drawings, a

Arranged between these is a container, adjustable delivering and feeding means associated with the discharge end of the feed pipe, said feed means comprising an adjustable discharge conduit and a floating ball located beneath the discharge end thereof.

2. A device of the class described comprising spaced guide members, a telescopic discharge conduit located therebetween, a ball float located between the guide members and beneath the discharge end .of the conduit, and

connections between the conduit and float and guide members. 7

3. A device of the class described comprisinga feed pipe for conducting and elevating a foam extinguishing compound, a depending telescopic discharge conduit con- 7 nected-With the discharge end of said feed pipe, and a floating ball spreader fixedly connected with and located beneath the discharge 20 conduit. v

4. A device of the class described comprising a feed pipe for conducting and elevating a foam extinguishing compound, a depending telescopic discharge conduit connected with the discharge end of said feed pipe, and a floating ball spreader fixedly connected with and located beneath the discharge conduit, together with guide means and a pair of upstanding guide arms connected with said conduit, and provided with guide sleeves mounted on said guide means, said arms being fastened to diametrically opposite sides of the ball float.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures.

EDWARD B. LARKIN. THOMAS A. CONNEELY. 

